THE gospel fraternity was truly represented at last Sunday’s grand finals of the JCDC National Children’s Gospel Song Competition.

The evening was made special by great singing from the over 200 finalists who participated, coupled with the unbridled enthusiasm of the members of the audience.

Capturing the overall theme for the evening of From the Heart of a Child, the finalists took to the stage with a heart-warming rendition of I’ll Give my Heart and delivered the opening presentation for the event which began promptly at 6:00 pm.

A performance by 2009 solo category winners, Rebecca Williams and Dwight Ferrari made way for what was going to be a night of rich performances from the young cast of competitors. Led by emcees Markland Edwards and eight-year-old, Jahzan McLaughlin and like young church-goers, the performers descended the steps of the set into what resembled a church yard, to deliver their entries.

Divided into juniors and intermediates, they performed in the categories of Solos, Ensembles and Choirs, with the finalists in the 6-10 Choir Category being the first to take the stage. In a clear victory, it was the Hagley Park Preparatory School’s delivery of This Little Light which topped their peers which included the Willowdene Children’s Choir, Boulevard Baptist Church Choir and the Stella Maris Preparatory.

Going by the name ‘Singing Jewels’, a group of four girls from the Corinaldi Avenue Primary School, took the top prize for the Junior Ensemble Category with Lord I Believe in You ahead of the 2009 winners, the Bright Beginnings Learning Centre, that place second by default.

The mood climaxed as the four participants in the 6-10 Solo Category took to the stage. In this category, for the second time, petite nine-year-old Jamielle Gilman, from the Mount St Joseph Prep School in Mandeville, delivered a winning performance and took the top prize for her entry Stand Still. She was followed by Alex Anderson, whose performance of I’m Available To You also thrilled the audience.

The Herbert Morrison Technical High School was next set of winners to take the stage as the competition moved into the Intermediate category.

Though not placing in the choir category, students from the Papine High School made up for it, topping the intermediate ensemble category with their entry You are My Joy ahead of 2009 category winners, Boys of Valour. Also competing in the category was the Herbert Morrison Technical High and a trio from the Bog Walk High School called the Dynamics.

The night then reached another crescendo as the Intermediate Solo finalists took to the stage. Like it was destiny, 14-year-old Malika James, who copped the top spot, took to the stage first with Encourage Yourself, followed by Lenroy Lewin with Just a Closer Walk with Thee, who placed second. Also impressive was 12-year-old Akeem Beezer who delivered an exceptional rendition of The Lord’s Prayer.

The evening ended with yet another spirited performance, this time from guest artiste Martin’s Heritage, who thrilled the audience with a medley of Sunday School songs and popular hits such as In the Valley, and Blessed Communion in collaboration with Lubert Levy.

Hosted in association with Grace Tropical Rhythms, brand manager Nicholas Bramwell, assisted by Minister of Youth Sports & Culture Olivia Grange, led the presentation of cash awards and trophies to the top participants. Also handing out cash, trophies and other packages were Excelsior’s Nadia Wright, Tastee Cheese’s Dionne Henry and Yummy Bakery’s Dave Lee. Prizes were also presented to the coach and teachers of the winning entries.